Dean Smith - Confirmed

[Steve67]

It will be impossible to fire him if he keeps us up now. And I’ve been one of his harshest critics. Unless Pochettino or Allegri suddenly picks up the phone and says they want the job it would be unfair to can him if we gets us out of trouble.

If you drive a Ford Mondeo and someone offers you a BMW X3, you have a decision to make.  I am in the same camp as you and still want an upgrade, whether he keeps us up or not.  No room for sentiment.  Obviously, if the BMW X3 isn't available, we keep what we have.  Part of me wants to see what he can do but I'd like the managers named so we move forward quicker.  I guess I need to be more patient.  A Mondeo is kind of where I see Dean is at.  A decent car but not particularly sexy, a steady plodder, reliable if a little boring.  Sorry to anyone who owns one as they are decent cars.

[Toronto Villa]

He's finally getting performances out of the squad and just at the crucial time; he deserves massive credit for that.  If he does keep us up he's fulfilled his brief, albeit by a close margin, and probably deserves to stay.  But I do still doubt he's the man to take us higher up the table.

Yep. I don’t have a lot of room for sentiment. But I don’t see us firing him if he kept us up. Even if we really should for all that preceded it.

[Olof's Beard]

The criticism of Smith post-lockdown just makes me want him to succeed all the more. While I understand the frustration of defeats, costly mistakes and lack of cutting edge, those who claimed it impossible to tell what we'd been working on over the break didn't have their eyes open. We get back into shape so much more quickly than we were and we've even closed the gaps between the centre halves and full backs  (without leaving ourselves as vulnerable to the switch of play as we were in the Cup Final and the Chelsea home hame) in recent weeks. He's also right when he says it's been fine margins for much of the season.

We led home and away vs Spurs, away at Arsenal, home to Liverpool, home to Chelsea and lost them all. It's infuriating, hugely frustrating, but incomparable to 2016. The last few games, we've shown that we're learning how to balance defence and attack in a way we haven't managed all season. I hope for the sake of Dean Smith (who lest we forget, will still be grieving for his Dad) that we finish the job on Sunday. We'd deserve it and so would he.

[Risso]

If he stays up he'll probably keep his job, but his dad's death has no more bearing on his employment than Bruce's did.

[Villan82]

Best game as Villa manager tonight

This, he really looked 'on it' tonight, you could see it in his eyes.

[Drummond]

If he stays up he'll probably keep his job, but his dad's death has no more bearing on his employment than Bruce's did.

As I think I  said at the time, anyone's father dying would have an effect on their ability to do their job. Though I think you're right in saying that Bruce's dad dying wouldn't have had any effect on Smith's job.

[Drummond]

Interesting question post match about his emotions Nd Smith's response about being fairly level most of the time as the players need a consistent approach. I liked that.

[OzVilla]

I've been highly critical of Dean Smith at times this season but credit where it's due, he set the team up well, managed the game well for the players in the closing minutes and has improved the likes of Konsa and Luiz immeasurably since the break.  I still have major doubts but if he can finish the job on Sunday..........

[chrisw1]

He's done well since the restart, albeit with some frustrating results mainly due to woeful fininshing.  We've been in every game except for Chelsea.

I've never really been fully Smith in or Smith out.  Now we are where we are, whatever happens Saturday I wouldn't change him for the sake of it, but yes if by some miracle Poch fancied the gig then we'd be daft not to go for it.

[algy]

Had we been able to defend as well at the start of the season as we have been post-lockdown, we'd be sitting comfortably in mid table by now.

If we stay up and keep hold of Jack, we'll be fine next season. For me, Dean's doing as well as anyone. Keep hold, I don't think anyone will be calling for his head in 12 months time.

[ASHTONVILLA]

Much better tactics and use of substitutions. Play like that with a better striker and we would be nowhere near the relegation zone.

[mr underhill]

If we stay up I'd be going all in for Abraham

[john e]

Yes definitely his best game last night

I still have a nagging feeling that if it wasn’t for injuries the back 4 he was going with was Konsa Hause Mings Taylor
that back four won’t win you many games yet he thought it was ok

I mean Guilbert been sitting on the bench for the last few weeks and he’s the best full back we got

I know today is not one for negativity but i still can’t help but be concerned

[Jon Crofts]

If we stay up I'd be going all in for Abraham

This. And Tuanzabe

[chrisw1]

Out of interest what do you think we could get Abraham?  Is he a £45m player?